Kinshasa

Brazzaville and Kinshasa (capital of DR Congo) are the 2 closest capital cities in the world. To cross between them you'll need a visa - and make sure your visa for the country you're leaving is valid for multiple entries, otherwise you'll have to get a new one to come back, too. To get across, the cheap option is the ferry, but it stands until it's full enough to go, and many of the places have minimal shade, so be prepared for a long wait and wear sunscreen! Alternatively, you can ride across in a speedboat as the only passenger - as of late 2007 this cost about GB£ 120.

If you decide to cross from Brazza to Kinshasa, be aware that: 1) you'll need different currency in Kinshasa - Brazza uses the CFA Franc (FCFA) which is valid in various West Central African countries. Kinshasa uses Congolese francs. 2) If you're planning to come back to Brazza, you should check your entry visa for Congo-B - if it doesn't allow multiple entries, you'll have to pay for another one to get back because even though you're only going a couple of miles, and the 2 cities are almost one, you're leaving the country. 3) It's worth paying someone (trustworthy!) to go to the river port with your passport and get your DRC visa in advance, as it can be a long wait for one if you try to get it when you arrive at the port.

Kinshasa and Brazzaville (capital of Congo-B) are the 2 closest capital cities in the world. To cross between them you'll need a visa - and make sure your visa for the country you're leaving is valid for multiple entries, otherwise you'll have to get a new one to come back, too. To get across, the cheap option is the ferry, but it stands until it's full enough to go, and many of the places have minimal shade, so be prepared for a long wait and wear sunscreen! Alternatively, you can ride across in a speedboat as the only passenger - as of late 2007 this cost about GB£ 120.

If you decide to cross from Kinshasa to Brazza, be aware that: 1) you'll need different currency in Brazza, which uses the CFA Franc (FCFA) valid in various West Central African countries. Kinshasa uses Congolese francs. 2) If you're planning to come back to Kin, you should check your entry visa for DRC - if it doesn't allow multiple entries, you'll have to pay for another one to get back because even though you're only going a couple of miles, and the 2 cities are almost one, you're leaving the country. 3) It's worth paying someone (trustworthy!) to go to the river port with your passport and get your Congo-B visa in advance, as it can be a long wait for one if you try to get it when you arrive at the port.

This city is not suitable for touristic purposes. The Zhongo Falls between Matadi and Kinshasa are spectacular. However they are very difficult to reach without 4 wheel drives.

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE... MY BIRTH PLACE..

Ndjili is where the international airport of Kinshasa is. Watch out for pickpockets and remember that friendly looking, helpful people are not always what they seem to be - rather the opposite...

Brazzaville seemed safe to walk around by day, though it is hot and the place seems abandoned bigtime. Nobody hassled me at all around the centre, which is good news.

Astonishing, dangerous, marvelous, poor, rich, Africa...

Le légendaire Hotel Memling, ex-hôtel de la Sabena